A member of the board at insurance group Achmea has left the company because of a long-running investigation into fraud at the company’s fitness centre chain.

Last September potential fraud issues emerged involving tenancy agreements with the fitness centres dating back to 2007. At the time, Van Breda Vriesman was head of Achmea’s care division.

Achmea reported the problems to the tax office last year and the public prosecution department began an investigation. Van Breda Vriesman stood down temporarily.

However, ‘given the time that has already lapsed and the uncertainty about how long it will take to complete the case, the supervisory board and Van Breda Vriesman have agreed that he will resign from his post,’ the company said in a statement.

Achmea is the biggest insurance company in the Netherlands, with brands such as FBTO, Agis, Zilveren Kruis and Avéro.

The company closed down 12 fitness centres last year, with the loss of 450 jobs, most of which were part time. A further 19 centres were sold off.

The centres were first opened in 2000 and offered people with an Achmea health insurance policy a discount.